At least 360 people from Banda Ghati in Malkangiri and 180 people from Satabhaya area of Kendrapara have been shifted to safer places. More people have been evacuated from Rangeilunda, Ganjam and Purushottampur in Ganjam district, Narayanpatna in Koraput district, Chilika region in Khordha district and the low-lying areas of Berhampur.
The impact of the cyclone may remain for six hours after the landfall. The cyclone is now stationed at 240 km from Visakhapatnam and 330 km from Gopalpur. As many as 35 trains on Bhubaneswar-Vizag route have been cancelled for tomorrow. At least 31 trains have been diverted. The IndiGo Airlines have cancelled two Vizag-bound flights till further notice.
The wind speed may go up to 170-190km per hour in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, East Godavari and Vizianagaram regions. Over one lakh people have been evacuated so far in those districts. In Odisha, gutsy winds of up to 90km per hour may hit Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Ganjam districts during the landfall.
Situation is normal in Jeypore, Koraput, Nandpur, Rayagada and Malkangiri areas right now. There have been no signs of heavy rains or gutsy winds as of 7:30 PM on Saturday. However, people have kept their fingers crossed and waiting till midnight to see the real picture. Heavy rains are being reported from Ganjam district. The NDRF and ODRAF teams have been put on stand-by in the vulnerable districts of Odisha.